Patents Assigned to Kohler Co.
  • Patent number: 12042043
    Abstract: A power supply system for a toilet includes a controller power supply circuit, including an input end electrically connected to an external power supply and an output end. The system includes an assembly driving power supply circuit, including an input end electrically connected to the external power supply and an output end. The power supply system also includes a controller circuit, including a power supply end electrically connected to the output end of the controller power supply circuit and an output end communicably connected to a control end of a switch control circuit of the assembly driving power supply circuit. The system also includes a driving component circuit, including a power supply end electrically connected to the output end of the assembly driving power supply circuit. An output power of the controller power supply circuit is lower than an output power of the assembly driving power supply circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Kathryn Clouse, Jennifer Tarplee, Maria Jahn, Steven Mark Hammond, Erin Lilly, Sasha Drumm, John Lipinski
  • Patent number: 12038092
    Abstract: A faucet that includes a housing, a first valve, a handle body, a handle, and a second valve. The first valve is disposed at least in part within the housing and controls one of a flow rate and a temperature. The handle body has an elongated base, which extends from the housing along a longitudinal axis and is operatively coupled to the first valve, such that rotation of handle body about the longitudinal axis relative to the housing controls the first valve. The handle extends from the base along a radial axis relative to the longitudinal axis. The second valve is disposed at least in part within the handle and controls the other of the flow rate and the temperature, the second valve operatively couples the handle to the base, such that rotation of the handle about the radial axis relative to the handle body controls the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Anaël Tasserit, Gaëtan Wangon, Jean Hugues Soulier, Olivier Chalancon
  • Patent number: 12037778
    Abstract: A toilet having a water inlet structure, a bowl structure, a rim, and an outlet structure. The water inlet structure is configured to receive water from a water source. The bowl structure includes a toilet bowl and a water channel, which is fluidly connected to the water inlet structure and is configured to feed water into the toilet bowl from an outlet of the water channel that is located between a back portion and a side portion of the toilet bowl. The rim has a solid, annular member disposed around a top of the toilet bowl and entirely above the water channel, is formed separately from and coupled to the bowl structure. The outlet structure is fluidly connected to the toilet bowl to carry the water and contents from the toilet bowl to an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: John F. Emmerling, John A. Zutz
  • Patent number: 12031306
    Abstract: A capsule includes an upper body portion and a lower body portion that is coupled to the upper body portion. The lower body portion includes a lower wall that defines a lower opening. The lower body portion and the upper body portion together define an internal cavity. At least one of the upper body portion or the lower body portion includes a plurality of grooves spaced at intervals along a circumferential direction with respect to a central axis of the capsule. The plurality of grooves extends at an angle in a partially axial direction and a partially circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Robert J. Guthrie, Brian C. Wick, Evan Yee, Andrew Klinger
  • Patent number: 12029358
    Abstract: A bath receptor includes a water inlet, a first basin, a second basin, and a partition positioned between the first basin and the second basin. The water inlet is configured to supply water to the bath receptor. The first basin includes a first whirlpool system configured to direct water in a first direction within the first basin. The second basin includes a second whirlpool system configured to direct water in a second direction within the second basin. The second direction opposite the first direction. The partition is vertically provided along at least a portion of a height of the bath receptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventor: Jason Kwacz
  • Patent number: 12035089
    Abstract: A shower assembly. The assembly may include a shower device including a device housing defining an inlet communicating with an inlet chamber, an outlet and a waterway communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet, the device housing further defining a receptacle having a closed end and an open end, the inlet chamber being behind the closed end, the waterway extending along the receptacle from the closed end toward the open end; and a second device supportable in the receptacle. The outlet may define an outlet plane, and the second device may include a housing providing an outlet, the outlet being one of aligned with and positioned forwardly of the outlet plane when the speaker is supported in the receptacle. The assembly may further include a magnetic connecting structure operable to releasably connect the second device and the shower device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Kenneth Scott Hanna, Michael James Soetaert, Keith Scott Ruh, William Clement Kuru
  • Publication number: 20240216931
    Abstract: A water delivery device includes an inlet connector, a sprayface assembly, and a selection engine. The inlet connector is configured to couple the water delivery device to a water supply. The sprayface assembly includes a plurality of nozzles that are configured to produce a plurality of spray patterns. The selection engine fluidly couples the inlet connector to the sprayface assembly and controls flow to each one of the plurality of nozzles to determine the spray pattern produced at the sprayface assembly. The selection engine is configured to switch directly from any one of the plurality of spray patterns to any other one of the plurality of spray patterns in response to a single actuation of the selection engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2024
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Applicant: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Evan Yee, Brian S. Core
  • Patent number: 12023692
    Abstract: A shower system includes on one or more valves and a plurality of showerheads. The plurality of showerheads are electrically coupled to one another and configured to receive electrical signals from one another. The plurality of showerheads are fluidly coupled to the one or more valves and configured to receive water therefrom. The plurality of showerheads includes a sprayer, one or more sensors, and an integrated user interface. The sprayer is configured to dispense water provided by the one or more valves. The one or more sensors are configured to register motion gestures made by a user. The integrated user interface is configured to control operation of the sprayer. The one or more sensors generates an internal signal to the plurality of showerheads corresponding to the motion gesture. One of the plurality of showerheads is a master showerhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Todd W. Leonhard, Qi Cheng, Douglas J. Brouwer, Keith Ruh, Chad J. Cochart
  • Patent number: 12017237
    Abstract: A spray head assembly includes a body and a plurality of nozzles. The body is configured to receive a supply of fluid. The plurality of nozzles are disposed on the body and fluidly connected to the body. The plurality of nozzles are arranged in a substantially linear row having at least three nozzles. The plurality of nozzles are positioned to produce a non-linear spray pattern over a distributed area at a focal length from the body. In some embodiments, each one of the plurality of nozzles directs the fluid in a flow stream to a different location across the distributed area without intersecting the flow stream produced by another one of the plurality of nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Rafael A. Rexach, Tory L. Hayner
  • Patent number: 12018850
    Abstract: A modular smart bathroom fan includes a base exhaust fan and one or more modules. The base exhaust fan includes one or more ports that are configured to receive one or more modules. The one or more modules includes a communications module that is configured to communicate with the base exhaust fan and other modules of the one or more modules, receive information from an application or the one or more modules and generate an action to be performed by the base exhaust fan and other modules of the one or more modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Rafael Rexach, Peter Denzin, Jiunntyng Chen
  • Patent number: 12018468
    Abstract: An articulating shower assembly in provided. The articulating shower assembly includes a linkage assembly operable between a first position and a second position. A spray head is coupled to the linkage assembly and is operable between the first position and the second position. A handle is pivotally coupled to the linkage assembly such that the linkage assembly is configured to transition between the first position and the second position in response to a force applied to the handle. In some embodiments, the linkage assembly includes a first link arm, a second link arm, and a pivot body, where the pivot body is fluidly coupled to the spray head. The first link arm may be rigid while the second link arm is structured to extend and collapse as the linkage assembly transitions between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventor: Chanseol Chung
  • Patent number: 12018398
    Abstract: A plumbing fixture having a multi-color appearance includes a first portion including a first finish having a first appearance and a second portion including a second portion having a second appearance that differs from the first appearance. The plumbing fixture further includes a transition region between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the appearance of the third region is graduated from the first appearance to the second appearance between a first end of the transition region adjacent the first portion and a second end of the transition region adjacent the second portion. The plumbing fixture has an ombré appearance as a result of the graduated transition between the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Sarfaraz Moh, Gary N. Clarke
  • Patent number: 12018466
    Abstract: A diverter seal member for a diverter structure of a tub spout structure includes a central body, a first seal extension, and a second seal extension. The central body includes a first side and a second side. The first seal extension extends from the first side of the central body. The first seal extension includes a first extension side and an extension end. The extension end extends substantially perpendicular to the first extension end. The second seal extension extends from the second side of the central body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Shashank Varma, Matthew J. Ball, Andrew D. Wieberdink, Evan Yee, Kellen D. Beauchesne
  • Patent number: 12012738
    Abstract: A toilet includes a basin, a rim, and a heated water cleaning system. The basin includes a bow 1. The rim includes a rim aperture in fluid communication with the bow 1. The heated water cleaning system includes a heated water delivery channel and a heated water generator. The heated water delivery channel is positioned proximate the rim aperture. The heated water generator is in fluid communication with the heated water delivery channel. The heated water generator is configured to receive water, produce heated water, and provide the heated water to the heated water delivery channel. The heated water generator includes a heated water generator tank and a heater. The heated water generator tank is configured to contain at least one of water or heated water. The heater is positioned within the heated water generator tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Keith E. Muellenbach
  • Patent number: D1032787
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Erin Hoover, Coralee Sandee, William Mckeone
  • Patent number: D1032789
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Drew Johnson, Tory Hayner
  • Patent number: D1034903
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER, CO.
    Inventors: Margaret C. Mazz, Yutong Wu
  • Patent number: D1034930
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Taiwoon Woon
  • Patent number: D1035832
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: KOHLER CO.
    Inventors: Roque M. Corpuz, Jr., Brandon H. Miller
  • Patent number: D1035986
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Erin Leigh Hoover, Nicholas Robert Rindt, Dennis Lee Snyder, Seth M. Stevens, Maxwell Wasscher, Luke James Worth, Jovello Tijano Gomez, Jr.